A newly introduced species, closely related to R. calophytum.  This species differs in the whitish to fawn stellate indumentum on the lower surface of the leaves (primarily on the main veins and midrib).  It forms a small tree with large leaves and white flushed rose flowers with a dark red basal blotch.  During an expedition to China in 1995, this species was observed growing on and among huge boulders in a deep ravine at 9,000 ft. in S Sichuan.  This ravine was located in a limestone mountain range near the Yangtze river and was an exceedingly rich area for plants and especially rhododendrons with a dozen species growing in the immediate vicinity (incl. the newly introduced ochraceum & huianum!).  Native to C & S Sichuan where it grows in forests from 6,000 to 12,000 ft.

1995sd250  (asterochnoum aff.?)  PW#77:RSBG  (-10?\R1\6).  Grown from seed collected as calophytum in the Dalou Shan region of N Guizhou, China at 4,150 ft.  Somewhat similar in appearance to 1996sd432 but with a ramiform indumentum on the underside of the leaves.  This may be a natural hybrid between calophytum and coeloneuron which was growing nearby.

1996sd432  SEH#093:RSBG  (0\R1\6). One of the most exciting new introductions in years.  Closely related to calophytum.  Large and distinctive foliage on a large shrub to small tree.  White flushed rose flowers with a dark red basal blotch.  Grown from seed collected wild in the location described above, these plants are already developing their indumentum.  Beautiful, vigorous large plants.  A must-have for the collector.